Front Line welcomes the release of Bishnu Nisturi, General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ). Bishnu Nisturi was arrested on 4 February following a statement issued by the FNJ on 2nd February 2005 condemning the recent measures taken by the King suppressing freedom of expression.

Bishnu Nisthuri has stated that following his arrest on 4 February 2005 he was "hooded" and taken to the Royal Nepal Army headquarters at Bhadrakali, Kathmandu. The next day, he was transferred to police custody at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu. On 14 February, the Supreme Court issued a notice to government authorities, giving them three days to inform the Court of the reasons for his arrest. On 25 February Bishnu Nisturi was released from detention.

However, Front Line is deeply concerned by the continued detention of Krishna Pahadi, founder chairperson of the Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES). Krishna Pahadi was arbitrarily arrested on 9th February 2005 at the HURPES office in Kathmandu. HURPES is a non-governmental organisation, which exposes human rights violations by both Maoist and government parties. Krishna Pahadi attended the Front Line Platform in Dublin in 2002.

Krishna Pahadi and Bishnu Nisturi were arrested along with 12 other human rights defenders since the King of Nepal dismissed the government and imposed a state of emergency on 1st February. While Bishnu Nisturi and the other 12 human rights defenders have been released, Krishna Pahadi is still being arbitrarily detained at the police headquarters in Kathmandu. Front Line is calling for the immediate release of Krishna Pahadi.